Chicago Cubs: Thoughts on every player on the 40-man roster

Unfortunately for their fans, the Chicago Cubs are in the beginning stages of another heart-wrenching rebuild.

Entering last season, the Cubs had all of Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel, Ryan Tepera, Jake Marisnick, Andrew Chafin and Joc Pederson on their active roster. Come August 1st, not a single one of them remained; making Kyle Hendricks and Willson Contreras next on the list of potential Cubs changing teams.

Despite the fact that a long and difficult rebuild is in the club’s future, it still went out and signed free agents Yan Gomes and Marcus Stroman to fill current roster holes and potentially be a part of the next contending team (specifically Stroman). Veteran left-hander Wade Miley was also claimed off of waivers from the Cincinnati Reds as further rotation help.

The Chicago Cubs’ 40-man roster currently sits at 39 spots filled. Let’s take a closer look at the current roster as we (hopefully) near the beginning of the season.

(Projections included below are from FanGraphs’ Depth Chart Projections system for the 2022 season.)

The pitchers (19):

Cory Abbott, RHP

2021 stats: 0-0, 7 G (1 GS), 6.75 ERA, 8.94 FIP, -0.5 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 1-1, 11 G (3 GS), 5.15 ERA, 5.20 FIP, 0.1 fWAR

Cory Abbott made his major league debut last season for the Cubs after a very solid minor league career. He is very much a strikeout-oriented pitcher. The 26-year-old is projected to begin the season at the club’s Triple-A affiliate and should only see time in the big leagues this upcoming season if more players are traded, or if injuries arise.

Adbert Alzolay, RHP

2021 stats: 5-13, 21 GS, 4.58 ERA, 4.65 FIP, 1.0 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 6-6, 23 GS, 4.54 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.0 fWAR

Last season was Adbert Alzolay’s first full season at the major league level and he looked pretty sharp. Primarily a sinker-slider type of pitcher, Alzolay is highly efficient at limiting walks and held hitters to just a .185 batting average on his slider last year, throwing the pitch over 40% of the time. He is projected to begin the 2022 season with a rotation spot locked down.

Scott Effross, RHP

2021 stats: 2-1, 14 G, 3.68 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 0.2 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 4-4, 62 G, 4.65 ERA, 4.60 FIP, -0.1 fWAR

Scott Effross is a relief pitcher who has done an excellent job of keeping his walk and home run-rates low throughout his minor league career. He got a brief showing in 2021 on the big league club and is projected to be an oft-used middle relief option for the Cubs. He, like Alzolay, is primarily a sinker-slider pitcher and does a great job at limiting baserunners.

Anderson Espinoza, RHP

2021 stats (in A+ and AA): 1-3, 20 GS, 4.19 ERA

2022 FGDC projections: 0-0, 10 G, 4.84 ERA, 4.83 FIP, 0.0 fWAR

Anderson Espinoza, one of the newest Chicago Cubs, came over from the Padres in a trade for Jake Marisnick. Espinoza is a two-time Tommy John surgery recipient and made his first professional appearances since 2016 last year. He has a great fastball and curveball but needs to work on his control if he is to succeed at the big league level. He is projected to start 2022 in the minor leagues.

Kyle Hendricks, RHP

2021 stats: 14-7, 32 GS, 4.77 ERA, 4.89 FIP, 1.3 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 10-11, 31 GS, 4.61 ERA, 4.68 FIP, 1.6 fWAR

Kyle Hendricks, the longtime ace of the Chicago Cubs rotation, is entering his age-32 season coming off of an unusually poor season in 2021. Hendricks posted career-lows in most major categories last season and is projected to post similar results in the upcoming campaign. He is an absolute workhorse and always goes late into games, a feature that the Cubs rely on him for year in and year out.

Codi Heuer, RHP

2021 stats (split between Cubs and White Sox): 7-4, 65 G, 4.28 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 0.7 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 5-4, 68 G, 4.07 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 0.7 fWAR

Codi Heuer joined the Cubs via trade last season right at the deadline, in exchange for Craig Kimbrel. Heuer, 25, has a four-pitch repertoire including a very strong slider and changeup. Both pitches allowed a batting average below .200 last season for Heuer. He projects to serve in a setup role for the Cubbies and could even see the occasional save chance.

Brailyn Marquez, LHP

2021 stats: N/A (injured)

2022 FGDC projections: 3-3, 8 GS, 4.89 ERA, 4.74 FIP, 0.3 fWAR

Brailyn Marquez has done nothing but dominate throughout his minor league career to this point.  The prized lefty entered 2021 as the #2 prospect in the Cubs’ system (per MLB.com) but ultimately missed all of last season due to a variety of ailments. He is projected to begin the season at the club’s Triple-A affiliate and should be near the top of the list when it comes to injury replacements.

Wade Miley, LHP

2021 stats (with Cincinnati): 12-7, 28 GS, 3.37 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 2.9 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 10-10, 29 GS, 4.35 ERA, 4.51 FIP, 1.7 fWAR

35-year-old Wade Miley, claimed by the Cubs back in November, is a durable starting pitcher that can go deep into ballgames and induce soft contact. Not much of a strikeout pitcher at all, Miley barely touches 90 mph on a good day and relies heavily on inducing ground balls and limiting home runs. He is a lock to be on the mound every fifth day and will give the Cubs a veteran pitcher that they could use on their staff.

Alec Mills, RHP

2021 stats: 6-7, 32 G (20 GS), 5.07 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 1.1 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 4-5, 32 G (16 GS), 5.11 ERA, 5.13 FIP, 0.2 fWAR

Despite the fact that he threw a no-hitter in 2020 against the Milwaukee Brewers, Alec Mills just has not been able to stick in the Cubs’ rotation since he joined the club in 2018. Mills, 30, served as both a starting pitcher and reliever last year for Chicago to subpar results. He is a lot like Wade Miley in that he does not strike out many batters but is a ground ball machine and barely hits 90mph on his fastball.

Tommy Nance, RHP

2021 stats: 1-1, 27 G, 7.22 ERA, 5.02 FIP, -0.2 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 2-2, 46 G, 4.28 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 0.0 fWAR

Tommy Nance made his big league debut last season as a 30-year old relief pitcher for the Cubs. He made 27 appearances down the stretch and did not look sharp, posting a 7.22 ERA. Nance’s curveball was absolutely annihilated last season (.400 batting average-against), but his sinker, four-seamer and slider looked stronger. His 5.02 FIP indicates that he may have been a little bit unlucky with the fielders behind him but he will need a strong bounce back season if he is to remain a Cub past 2022.

Ethan Roberts, RHP

2021 stats (in AA and AAA): 4-2, 39 G, 3.00 ERA, 2.50 FIP

2022 FGDC projections: 2-2, 35 G, 4.19 ERA, 4.15 FIP, 0.1 fWAR

Ethan Roberts has yet to make his major league debut but FGDC has him not only making his debut this season, but appearing in a good chunk of games for the Cubs. Roberts, 24, stands at just 5’9″ but is capable of hitting upper-90’s on his fastball and throws a huge sweeping curveball that sits in the high-70’s.

Manuel Rodriguez, RHP

2021 stats: 3-3, 20 G, 6.11 ERA, 5.77 FIP, -0.2 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 4-4, 58 G, 4.44 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 0.1 fWAR

Manuel Rodriguez, like Ethan Roberts, is expected to get some significant playing time out of the Cubs’ bullpen in 2022. Rodriguez is a big-time strikeout pitcher but he is also known to allow too many walks and home runs. His repertoire features two high 90s fastballs (sinker and four-seam) and a high-80s slider that draws a ton of swings and misses.

Michael Rucker, RHP

2021 stats: 0-0, 20 G, 6.99 ERA, 4.72 FIP, -0.1 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 2-2, 48 G, 4.60 ERA, 4.53 FIP, 0.0 fWAR

Michael Rucker is yet another bullpen arm that debuted last year for the Cubs. Rucker, 27, has spent his entire professional career in the Cubs organization and will most likely see a lot of time in 2022 out of the big league ‘pen. He features a five-pitch repertoire highlighted by above-average curveball and slider, allowing a .211 and .111 batting average-against last season, respectively.

Justin Steele, LHP

2021 stats: 4-4, 20 G (9 GS), 4.26 ERA, 5.52 FIP, -0.1 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 5-6, 48 G (15 GS), 4.53 ERA, 4.68 FIP, 0.5 fWAR

Justin Steele, a 26-year-old swingman, also cracked the big league roster for the first time last season. Steele was mostly used as a starter in his minor league career and that is still likely where he’s destined to land in the future, but he is projected to at least begin the season in the Cubs bullpen. He has been highly efficient in limiting home runs throughout his professional career but struggled with that during his 57-inning cameo in the majors last year.

Marcus Stroman, RHP

2021 stats (with New York Mets): 10-13, 33 GS, 3.02 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 3.4 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 12-11, 32 GS, 4.01 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 2.7 fWAR

Marcus Stroman represents the biggest big league signing of the offseason for the Cubs before the lockout froze all transactions. Last year was Stroman’s best professional season as he turned in career-bests in games started and ERA as well as K/9. He will undoubtedly be the Cubs’ ace for the next few seasons as he signed a three-year, $71MM contract in December. His slider and splitter gave hitters fits last season while his sinker (usually his best pitch) faltered somewhat. He will need to regain control of the sinker if he is to continue to be successful.

Keegan Thompson, RHP

2021 stats: 3-3, 32 G (6 GS), 3.38 ERA, 5.16 FIP, -0.2 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 4-5, 52 G (10 GS), 5.01 ERA, 5.06 FIP, 0.1 fWAR

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Keegan Thompson‘s first big league action came last season, functioning as a swingman for the Cubs. Thompson, 26, is capable of starting or relieving and he, like Steele, will be next in line should Alec Mills falter in 2022. Thompson has a four-pitch repertoire that includes a standout curveball, a low-80s pitch that hitters were only able to post a .170 batting average against last season.

Alexander Vizcaino, RHP

2021 stats (in Yankees and Cubs minor league systems): 0-2, 12 G (8 GS), 5.95 ERA

2022 FGDC projections: 1-1, 24 G, 5.56 ERA, 5.57 FIP, -0.1 fWAR

Alexander Vizcaino came over to the Cubs organization at last year’s trade deadline in the Anthony Rizzo trade. Vizcaino is still just 24 years of age and is pretty raw when it comes to his control and durability. His career high in innings pitched is just 87.2, never topping over 54 in any other season since he was drafted back in 2016. Vizcaino’s walk-rate was sky-high last season but he did effectively limit home runs. He will most likely be close to the bottom of the list of potential callups in 2022.

Rowan Wick, RHP

2021 stats: 0-1, 22 G, 4.30 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 0.4 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 3-2, 29 SV, 64 G, 4.03 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 0.3 fWAR

FanGraphs has Rowan Wick projected to be the Cubs’ primary closer in 2022. Wick has just 11 saves to his name since he debuted in 2018 but he throws four very deceptive pitches including a sweeping mid-70s curveball. He is a very high-strikeout pitcher but also allows his fair share of walks, something he will need to improve on if he is to stick in the closer’s role moving forward.

Brad Wieck, LHP

2021 stats: 0-0, 15 G, 0.00 ERA, 1.64 FIP, 0.4 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 3-3, 55 G, 4.31 ERA, 4.29 FIP, 0.1 fWAR

Speaking of deceptive pitches, lefty Brad Wieck is a master of making batters swing and miss and make soft contact. Last season (in a small sample size) Wieck did not allow a single run while allowing just a .185 batting average against his fastball and not a single hit against his sweeping, low-70’s curveball. While he does also (very) rarely throw a slider, Wieck seems like a potential closer replacement if Rowan Wick can’t get it done.

The infielders (7):

Sergio Alcantara – 2B/3B/SS

2021 stats: 255 PA, 89 G, 5 HR, .205/.303/.327, 71 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 245 PA, 57 G, 4 HR, .226/.313/.331, 76 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR

Sergio Alcantara is a high-speed, low-power middle infielder whose legs have yet to translate to high stolen base numbers in the big leagues. He draws a lot of walks and is a capable defender at any infield spot he plays at. Last year he was an oft-used backup infielder and he will most likely fill the same role in 2022.

David Bote – 2B/3B

2021 stats: 327 PA, 97 G, 8 HR, .199/.276/.330, 64 wRC+, -0.6 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 224 PA, 52 G, 7 HR, .233/.314/.394, 90 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR

In pretty much every day, last season was David Bote‘s worst season. His walks were down and he just couldn’t seem to find his way on base. Bote is another versatile infield option that can realistically play any infield spot or corner outfield position. In November, the 28-year-old underwent shoulder surgery with the anticipation being that he will be sidelined for six months.

Nico Hoerner – 2B/SS/OF

2021 stats: 170 PA, 44 G, 0 HR, .302/.382/.369, 104 wRC+, 0.8 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 567 PA, 131 G, 7 HR, .277/.342/.380, 95 wRC+, 2.3 fWAR

24-year old Nico Hoerner is finally in line for his first full season as an everyday member of the Cubs lineup. Hoerner, like Alcantara, doesn’t hit many home runs but possesses excellent speed on the base paths and has a great eye at the plate. While he projects as more of a second baseman, Hoerner is projected to be the Cubs everyday shortstop, at least to begin the upcoming season.

Nick Madrigal – 2B/SS

2021 stats (with White Sox): 215 PA, 54 G, 2 HR, .305/.349/.425, 113 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 560 PA, 130 G, 6 HR, .296/.342/.401, 100 wRC+, 2.2 fWAR

Long story short, Cubs fans should be very, very excited about Nick Madrigal. The centerpiece acquired by the Cubs in the Craig Kimbrel trade, Madrigal possess A++ speed on the basepaths and almost never strikes out. In his minor league career, Madrigal has walked 51 times and struck out just 21 times in over 700 plate appearances. He will likely never hit double-digit home runs but he is a lock for 25+ stolen bases and a .300 batting average.

Alfonso Rivas – 1B/OF

2021 stats: 49 PA, 18 G, 1 HR, .318/.388/.409, 119 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 161 PA, 37 G, 3 HR, .252/.329/.366, 89 wRC+, 0.1 fWAR

Alfonso Rivas does not possess the typical skillset of your average first baseman. He is high-contact left-handed bat that has not hit for much power to this point throughout his professional career. Rivas got his first taste of major league action last season and performed admirably, but he is projected to begin the season at the club’s Triple-A affiliate due to the presence of Frank Schwindel at first and the corner outfield spots being spoken for on the big league roster.

Frank Scwhindel – 1B

2021 stats (between Oakland and Chicago): 259 PA, 64 G, 14 HR, .326/.371/.591, 152 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 553 PA, 128 G, 25 HR, .268/.311/.475, 106 wRC+, 1.1 fWAR

There was arguably no bigger surprise performer last season than Frank Schwindel. Once a relatively popular Royals prospect, Schwindel bounced around from the Royals to the Athletics to the Cubs in recent years, ultimately settling in Chicago. The 29-year old slugger took off with the Cubs last season and rode his crazy-good performance to a sixth-place finish in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, despite playing in just 56 games in the National League. In a lineup full of uncertainty, Frank Schwindel is one of the few guaranteed starters for the Cubs going into 2022.

Patrick Wisdom – CIF/COF

2021 stats: 375 PA, 106 G, 28 HR, .231/.305/.518, 115 wRC+, 2.3 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 581 PA, 134 G, 35 HR, .218/.293/.457, 97 wRC+, 1.8 fWAR

Speaking of surprise performers, Patrick Wisdom also seemingly came out of nowhere last season with the Cubs. Where Schwindel has better contact abilities, Wisdom possesses more raw power. Strikeouts were extremely high for Wisdom last season but he was a standout player to watch for a Cubs team that was destined for a long rebuild. Defensively, he is able to fill in at both the corner infield spots and corner outfield. The fourth-place finisher in the NL ROTY, Wisdom has the third base position locked down for the Cubbies in the upcoming season.

The outfielders (10):

Alexander Canario – LF/CF/RF

2021 stats (in Giants and Cubs systems): 456 PA, 107 G, 18 HR, .230/.300/.431

FGDC projections: N/A

Still just 21-years old, Alexander Canario joined the Cubs organization in the Kris Bryant trade at last year’s deadline. While he is still very raw and will not see any major league time for the next two years or so, Canario has considerable thump in his bat as well as speed on the base paths, hitting 18 home runs and stealing 21 bases last season. His strikeout numbers are higher than one would like to see them at but he is a powerful, speedy, versatile defender who Cubs fans should be excited about moving forward. Canario recently ranked as high as the #12 prospect in the Cubs system per MLB.com.

Greg Deichmann – LF/RF

2021 stats: 31 PA, 14 G, 0 HR, .133/.161/.133, -22 wRC+, -0.4 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: N/A

Greg Deichmann, a 26-year-old corner outfielder, joined the Cubs last season in the Andrew Chafin trade with Oakland. Deichmann made his major league debut with Chicago shortly after but he performed horribly in a brief 14-game cameo. He is not predicated by FGDC to even sniff the major leagues this season and as a minor leaguer who’s already pushing 27, his days in a Cubs uniform may be numbered.

Clint Frazier – LF/RF

2021 stats (with the Yankees): 218 PA, 66 G, 5 HR, .186/.317/.317, 83 wRC+, -0.9 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 399 PA, 92 G, 14 HR, .234/.322/.422, 100 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR

Clint Frazier‘s Yankees career ultimately ended up as an utter disappointment, leading to his release and eventually; signing with the Cubs. The 27-year-old corner outfielder may still have some untapped potential that Chicago will undoubtedly look to uncover. He has some pop in his bat and could hit 20 home runs if he is able to put all of his tools together. Frazier is widely expected to be the designated hitter for the Cubs in 2022 due to his subpar defense.

Ian Happ – LF/CF/RF/INF

2021 stats: 535 PA, 148 G, 25 HR, .226/.323/.434, 103 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 651 PA, 151 G, 31 HR, .240/.340/.457, 113 wRC+, 2.4 fWAR

Ian Happ has quietly been a solid contributor for this Cubs team since his debut in 2017. Happ is a switch-hitter and is capable of playing all three outfield spots well in addition to being able to fill in at first, second or third base. Happ hit a career-high 25 home runs last season while posting his fifth consecutive season of over 100 wRC+ and 1.3 fWAR. The 27-year old outfielder is considered one of the leaders of this Cubs team and could find himself on the move this year as well.

Michael Hermosillo – LF/CF/RF

2021 stats: 38 PA, 16 G, 3 HR, .194/.237/.500, 90 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 175 PA, 41 G, 7 HR, .231/.314/.422, 97 wRC+, 0.5 fWAR

Yes, Michael Hermosillo‘s output at the major league level last season was awful in pretty much every way. But it’s his astounding minor league performance that pushed the Cubs to re-sign him to a big league contract early in the offseason. The 27-year-old outfielder hit 10 home runs in just 43 minor league games, posting a .592 SLG% and 178 wRC+ over 186 plate appearances. He is capable of double-digit home run totals and can play all three outfield spots. He should be an oft-used backup outfielder for the Cubs.

Jason Heyward – RF

2021 stats: 353 PA, 104 G, 8 HR, .214/.280/.347, 68 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 420 PA, 97 G, 12 HR, .244/.323/.397, 93 wRC+, 0.9 fWAR

Jason Heyward, now 32-years of age, has never quite lived up to the early-career hype he had as a member of the Atlanta Braves. A member of the Cubs organization for the past six seasons, Heyward posted the worst season of his entire career last season and may officially have played his way out of a full-time outfield gig going forward. With a weak bat against both lefties and righties, Heyward’s defense may not be enough to carry him to an everyday role in the near future.

Christopher Morel – LF/CF/RF/INF

2021 stats (in AA and AAA): 456 PA, 110 G, 18 HR, .223/.303/.427

2022 FGDC projections: N/A

22-year-old Christopher Morel, much like Alexander Canario is still a year or two away from the majors. Primarily a middle infielder in the first few years of his professional career, Morel became a super-utility player for the Cubs last season and looked great in his first showing in the outfield, highlighted by his 1.000 fielding percentage in 277 innings in center. Don’t let his 145lb. frame fool you, his bat possesses a significant amount of pop and he is highly efficient on the bases as well.

Rafael Ortega – LF/CF/RF

2021 stats: 330 PA, 103 G, 11 HR, .291/.360/.463, 120 wRC+, 1.6 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 497 PA, 115 G, .250/.321/.405, 95 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR

Rafael Ortega, 30, finally received his first full season in the big leagues nine years after making his debut back in 2012. He capitalized on his 103-game showing, hitting 11 home runs and posting a .291 batting average while primarily manning center field. Going forward, FanGraphs has him projected to be the club’s everyday center fielder in 2022.

Harold Ramirez – LF/CF/RF

2021 stats: 361 PA, 99 G, 7 HR, .268/.305/.398, 90 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 217 PA, 50 G, 6 HR, .278/.318/.431, 99 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR

Harold Ramirez, like Michael Hermosillo, will function as an oft-used backup outfielder in the upcoming season. Ramirez has bounced around a bit in the past few seasons, spending time in the Marlins, Indians and now Cubs outfields. His hit-tool is probably his best attribute as he is not a consistent power hitter and isn’t great on the basepaths. Should an injury come up in the upcoming season, Hermosillo is more likely to get the call to the starting lineup than Ramirez is. Unfortunately for the Cubs, both players are out of minor league options, meaning they have to stick on the major league roster or get cut.

Nelson Velazquez – LF/CF/RF

2021 stats (in A+ and AA): 425 PA, 103 G, 20 HR, .270/.333/.496

2022 FGDC projections: 70 PA, 16 G, 3 HR, .239/.283/.420, 84 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR

Nelson Velazquez, 23, may be the closest outfield prospect to the big leagues that the Cubs have. While he didn’t crack AAA last season, Velazquez was ranked the #29 prospect in the system per MLB.com and showed exceptional home run power while also stealing 17 bases and playing all three outfield spots last year. Velazquez’s long-term defensive home will most likely be in one of the corners but his pop and hit-tool will make him an interesting piece to watch for the Cubbies.

The Chicago Cubs are firmly back in rebuild-mode, just six years after winning a World Series championship. With Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, Schwarber, and Pederson all shipped out of town, Ian Happ, Willson Contreras, and Kyle Hendricks may be next.